Kentucky
U.S. Passport Copy Apostille in Kentucky
How Kentucky residents get their U.S. Passport Copy authenticated for use abroad — which office handles it, what the Kentucky Secretary of State can and can’t do, timing and price.
Quick answer
If your U.S. Passport Copy was notarized in Kentucky, its apostille comes from the Kentucky Secretary of State in Frankfort — not from Washington.
Key takeaways
- A U.S. Passport Copy notarized in Kentucky is apostilled by the Kentucky Secretary of State — we don’t provide state-level apostilles.
- For a non-Hague country we handle U.S. Department of State authentication plus embassy legalization after the state step: $399.
- Authenticated by
- Kentucky Secretary of State
- Kentucky apostille office
- Kentucky Secretary of State, Frankfort
- Our nearest office
- Chicago
- Price
- Quoted
Notarized in Kentucky: the exact route
A notarized document like this is authenticated through the notary, not the federal government. If it was notarized in Kentucky, the apostille is issued by the Kentucky Secretary of State in Frankfort.
- Hague Convention destination: the Kentucky apostille is the final step.
- Non-Hague destination: the Kentucky-authenticated document then goes to the U.S. Department of State and on to the destination’s embassy.
We don’t submit to the Kentucky Secretary of State directly. Once your document has its Kentucky authentication, we handle the U.S. Department of State and embassy steps for non-Hague destinations ($399).
Get the notarial wording right before signing — requirements vary by destination, and a mistake means redoing the whole chain.
About the U.S. Passport Copy
How to apostille a certified copy of a U.S. passport for foreign bank accounts, company formation and property purchases abroad.
What the Kentucky Secretary of State can do
The Kentucky Secretary of State in Frankfort issues apostilles for documents signed by Kentucky officials — birth, death and marriage certificates from Kentucky registrars, Kentucky state-court records, and documents notarized by Kentucky notaries. It has no authority over federal documents such as FBI reports, USCIS certificates or IRS letters.
State offices set their own procedures and fees, so confirm current requirements with the office before submitting a state document.
Getting it done from Kentucky
We serve Kentucky by mail from our Washington, D.C. headquarters, close to the Office of Authentications; our nearest office to Kentucky is Chicago. There’s no need to visit an office in person.
| Destination | Route | Our turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Hague Convention country | State apostille | Varies by state |
| Non-Hague country | State authentication, then federal + embassy | 15–17 business days after the state step |
Serving Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green and everywhere else in Kentucky.
Official sources: U.S. Department of State — U.S. Passports · U.S. Department of State — Authenticate Your Document · Kentucky Secretary of State — Apostilles & Authentications · HCCH — Apostille Convention status table (Hague countries).
Kentucky state documents (birth, marriage, state court, notarized) are apostilled by the Kentucky Secretary of State, Authentications and Apostilles · 1025 Capital Center Drive, Suite 201, Frankfort, KY 40601 · (502) 564-3490 · state fee $5. We don’t provide state-level apostilles. Official page (checked October 2026).
U.S. Passport Copy in Kentucky — FAQ
Can the Kentucky Secretary of State apostille my U.S. Passport Copy?
Yes, if it was notarized in Kentucky — a notarized U.S. Passport Copy is apostilled by the state where it was notarized.
Do I have to travel to Washington, D.C. from Kentucky?
No. We handle the Washington submission for you. Most Kentucky clients send their documents by mail and receive them back by tracked courier.
How long does it take from Kentucky?
It depends on the state step first; for non-Hague destinations, our federal and embassy steps take 15–17 business days after that.
How much does it cost?
Pricing depends on where the document was notarized and the destination; we confirm it before any payment.
Related: U.S. Passport Copy — full guide · All documents in Kentucky · Federal vs. state apostille
Ready to start?
Order online in minutes, or call and we will walk you through it. Federal documents from anywhere in the U.S. — one flat price, all government fees included.